The Wonder of Calling

​“A Child Will Lead Us” is the overarching theme this summer.
All of our readings come from St. Luke’s Vacation Bible School, Camp Wapo, and the Youth Mission Trip to the BWCA.
This Sunday we complete Camp Wapo’s 6-Week Series on Wonder. Their theme verse is Matthew 19:26b: "With God all things are possible."
Every week we looked at God’s Wonder:
Week 1: Wonder of Curiosity - June 28
Week 2: Wonder of Mystery - July 5
Week 3: Wonder of Identity - July 12
Week 4: Wonder of Possibility - July 19
Week 5: Wonder of Community - July 26
(Recorded Worship or Message only are available on our Youtube.com/stlukesbloomington page.)
 
This week we will look at…
Week 6: Wonder of Calling - August 2
 
In the Bible, a "wonder" — is often paired with a "sign" — it refers to something that transcends the natural order and points us straight to God's majesty, power, and presence. Biblical wonders are never performed for entertainment or spectacle. They do three things: they reveal who God is, they invite us out of our mundane routines and into faith, and they authenticate God's messengers — such as Moses, Jesus, the disciples, the Apostle Paul, I would argue God’s wonder is in every believer, including you.
So, let me ask you: are you willing to take time to wonder? To be curious about the world, yourself and others? Or do you suffer from the sin of certainty? Things are the way they are…
I am grateful to be at St. Luke’s where we wonder. As members we see God revealed in our community and the world. We answer the call and invite others to join us. We authenticate the call by doing service for God and not for ourselves. If you do anything out of obligation, in order to receive accolades, or worse to view yourself as better than others, you are not doing so for God.
St. Luke’s is Called to Serve: https://www.stlukesbloomington.org/service-opportunities-in-the-community.html
We do so in the community: American Red Cross, Bridging, Exodus Lending, Fisher House, Lift Garage, Loaves and Fishes, Lutheran Social Services, Meals on Wheels, The Sandwich Project, and VEAP
In the world: Ebenezeer Glenn Orphanage in Haiti, Feed My Starving Children, Global Refuge (formerly Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services), and Lutheran Disaster Response.
As a congregation we partner with these organizations to sharing God’s Wonder of caring, healing, reconciliation, and restoration.
August 8-15, high school students with adults will be going to the Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness. (BWCAW). Our initial plan is to do some site and trail maintenance around Trout Lake. If the area is not available to us due to the wildfires the Forest Service will have a Plan B for us.
It is fitting that this week we will be living out the overarching scripture, “A Child Will Lead Us.” We will have a special speaker, one of St. Luke’s Youth, who will share God’s Wonders in her life.
And I know there is so much more we are doing as a church and individual members of it. I would love to hear yours in the comments.
As you go out into the world, live out God’s Wonder of Calling…
May you have the courage to show up.
May you carry what you have learned.
May you live with purpose and care.
And may you know that God is with you in it all. Amen.